High praise from Ofsted for Teaching at City College

15 November 2016

An Ofsted report of City College Brighton and Hove, published today, praises the high standard of teaching at the College and the progression that students make into higher education and employment.

The College, which is the largest provider of vocational education and training in the city has retained its ‘good’ grade, which it was first awarded in 2011.

The report states that learners receive good quality education and training in well-managed study programmes, feel safe at the College and are well-supported to develop their personal and career aspirations. Achievement rates are good, while learners are engaged and respectful towards each other and to staff.

Lead Inspector David Martin was particularly impressed with how well students are looked after, saying: 'Safeguarding arrangements are highly effective and prompt action is taken to safeguard learners, both within the College and in their wider communities.'

The report also highlighted significant improvements in leadership and management, stating that the new leadership team, together with governors, have successfully implemented effective strategies to raise standards and ensure financial stability. It states: 'Leaders and managers continue to place learners, and improving the quality of provision, at the heart of their work.'

During the inspection, the Ofsted Team commented on the 'unusually high' achievements rates for GCSE English, which are well above the national average. There was also recognition that significant changes have been made to the leadership of Apprenticeship provision at the College, which has resulted in achievements rates soaring to above national rates last year.

Principal Sharon Collett said:

'We are incredibly proud of the result of this inspection, which is a tribute to the ongoing hard work and dedication of all the staff at the College to provide our students with the highest quality teaching, learning and assessment.'

With this excellent outcome from Ofsted and our merger with Northbrook College in its public consultation phase, this is one of the most exciting times in the College’s 150 year history. We are proud to remain in the top-third highest achieving general FE colleges in the country for 16-18 qualifications and will continue to work hard and build on all the achievements that have been recognised by Ofsted.'

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade and Chair of the all-party group on Further Education said:

'It’s great to see City College getting such a positive Ofsted report. This is a testament to the hard work of staff and students alike and is particularly impressive as it has been achieved during such a challenging period for the Further Education sector nationally.'

Caroline Lucas MP said:

'The improvements noted by Ofsted are down to the hard work and dedication of staff at the college. I’m really proud to have such an excellent college in my constituency and wish staff and students all the best for the next year.'

'Brighton & Hove City Council is delighted that City College has retained its ‘good’ judgement in the recent Ofsted inspection. This highlights the hard work, dedication and skill of the senior leadership team to secure high standards of teaching and learning and to ensure financial stability at the College. City College is a critical delivery partner in the delivery of vocational skills locally, and it continues to work collaboratively across Brighton & Hove, to support the City’s employment and skills plan.'

Tom Bewick, Chair of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee at Brighton & Hove City Council, said:

'I'd like to offer my congratulations to City College, it’s staff, governors and students on the recent Ofsted inspection result. We are committed to the best possible education for the children and young people of the city and I know that everyone at the College must have worked hard to provide an exciting and memorable college experience, so I am really pleased that this has been recognised in the report.'

About City College Brighton and Hove: Situated in the heart of Brighton and graded ‘Good’ in its most recent Ofsted report, City College Brighton and Hove is an international centre of vocational excellence and one of the top performing Further Education Colleges in the country. Every year, 7000 students choose City College as their place of further and higher education training. In addition, the College provides training to over 2,000 businesses and delivers an increasing number of Apprenticeships. Offering over 700 courses from basic level right through to business and postgraduate training, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.

About the proposed merger: The public consultation on the proposed merger with Northbrook College will end on the 17 November 2016 and the responses, together with other information, will be given full consideration, before the final decision on the merger will be announced in December 2016.